by Erin Leigh
I understand the game of hockey from a video game standpoint. I don't know that I get it on the ice. I can’t even skate so I won’t ever be challenged to try. But here, in this arena, I am the woman.
I let him score twice, absolutely letting him by me.
He is not graceful or good about getting a goal. “Ha, in your face, Banks! Take that! You like it, don't you, baby?”
“Gross.” I shudder, not at all from disgust and kick his ass harder. At the end of the game I unleash my real skills. My mom says I have ADHD, but my therapist always said I had the ability to hyperfocus but only selectively. Video games are unfortunately one of the things I can do it with.
The game ends and he screams, “HOLY SHIT! HOW DO YOU DO IT? YOU DON’T EVEN LIKE HOCKEY!” He throws the remote on the other side of the couch and gets up, running his huge hands through his thick hair. His stomach flexes with his arms, and I don't even remember the game. I lick my lips, stand, looking him straight in the eyes and grin. “Night, Brady.” My heart is pounding and I feel like I might just pull my shirt off to even the score. But I have way more self-respect than that, don't I? Where the hell is it?
He grabs my arm. “It’s one in the morning. I have practice in like five hours. I sacrificed almost an entire night of sleep so far. You have to tell me how.” He looks crazed and I am digging what he is putting off. I like this kind of crazy.
I like the way his warm hand on my arm almost wraps all the way around it. There’s a frightening possibility that my attraction to him is just so overwhelming all my senses have flown out the window. I know the common ones were the first bitches to abandon ship.
“Tell me how you’re so good at this. What am I doing wrong?”
“No.” I smirk, offering him the very same look he keeps giving me.
“Yes.” He bends forward, acting like he’s joking but still trying to intimidate me.
“No.” I laugh, pulling my arm from his loose grip. “Have a good sleep.” I saunter into my room, enjoying the sudden power shift in the house. I kicked his ass in something he should be very good at. And I dropped the mic and walked away like a boss, leaving him all worked up.
Only I’m worked up too. He makes my stomach ache in the right ways.
My cell finally rings with a return call from Sami. I know she’s doing the drunken dial, but I don't care. “You whore!” I whisper into the phone as I press my back against my door.
“Heyyyyyyy! How’s my beautiful girl? You bored in Hartford yet?” She giggles, and I can almost hear her swaying and falling over.
“NO!”
“Starting the big job tomorrow! You excited?” Is she purposely avoiding my calling her a whore?
“Explain yourself, Sami. I’m serious. Why is BJ a guy named Brady, and why did you lie to me?”
Her voice lowers, “Okay for reals. He’s the nicest guy—like ever. He loves his mom and he can cook and he’s funny, and I saw him punch a dude once for hitting on this chick sort of aggressively. Anyway, he’s amazing. I love him! You’re totally safe with him. He is the best ever. World’s greatest.”
I close my eyes and try not to picture her as Alicia Silverstone in Clueless. “Why did you lie to me?”
“You never would have left the house, boo. You never would have found a roomie in time. This worked perfectly. You guys asked Matt and me the same day. It was kismet, bitch!”
There’s no argument from me. She’s right. “So you weren’t trying to get me to hook up with him?”
“What?” She totally was. Her tone does that high thing it always does when she’s smiling and lying. “No way! I stand firmly next to you on this whole ‘only one dick ever!’ I totally disagree that you should test-drive a couple of cars before you buy one that you will have for the rest of your life. Be a one-cock woman. That's cool.”
I roll my eyes. “Me and William aren’t talking about the rest of our lives. Maybe just moving in together next year. It’s not like that.”
“You’ve had one penis, Nat. One. That's sad. How do you even know William’s doing it right?”
“You’re disgusting.” I snort. “I know, okay! So drop it!”
She pauses and I can hear the water she’s downing because she knows she’s had way too much liquor. “You love me and you know it.” She sighs and inhales hard, taking in more water.
“I do love you. I just think ambushing Brady and me was mean.”
“Does he really care that you’re a hot blonde and not a nerdy dude?”
A wicked smile creeps across my lips. “He does tonight. I just whipped him in NHL 16.”
“Of course you did.” She laughs and makes kissy noises into the phone. “Talk tomorrow. Now that you’re all settled and not moving out I can turn my phone back on.”
“How did you know I wasn't moving out?”
“Brady called Matt. He said you guys worked it out. He said you’re hot but a little crazy, and he knows how the hot crazy scale works so he won’t try anything. You’re totally safe with him, Nat. Plus, he’ll keep you safe from any problems there. He’s the most loyal dude ever.”
My jaw drops, ignoring the rest. He called me crazy? There’s a pathetic place in my brain that whispers he also called me hot. I suspect it’s a remnant from the olden days when women had no rights and being called hot by a beautiful man was as exciting as shit got.
But I shut that whimpering little simpleton down. I force myself to smile so she doesn't know I’m totally into him after two days like an idiotic sophomore. “Yeah, we had a rough start.” I narrow my gaze and shake my head. He’s going to pay for the crazy comment.
“You should dress super cute so he totally checks you out all the time and make him suffer for the crazy comment. You might be the least crazy girl I know in the whole world. He just doesn’t know you yet.”
Contemplating the fact I was thinking about cooking for him and making him suffer through that, her idea is easier. I have a ton of cute clothes. But the idea of making him think something when I’m clearly dating someone else, doesn't jive with me.
I’m having a hard enough time not being a hormonal teenaged girl next to him. I don't need to add head games. I strike her idea from the record and plan dinner.
Besides, my attraction to him isn’t fair for poor William. He and I have been dating for a couple of years. Mostly off more than it’s been on, but we got back together recently and I think it might work this time.
“Dress slutty and make him want you. Try a different dick. It might be good for you.” She rambles and sounds like she’s nestling into bed.
“Dude, sit up. Don't lie down yet. You’re going to get the spins and you just downed a bunch of water.”
She moans. “I wanna sleep, Nat.”
“I know.” I look at my bed and wish I were tired like her. But I’m wired. The new job has me buzzing. “I’ll call tomorrow after my first day. Or from the bathroom if it’s going bad. Answer, kay?”
“I will. I love you.”
It makes me smile. “Love you too.” We hang up and I wish one of us were a dude. We’d do so much better as a couple than William and I ever have. We’ve never even said I love you to each other. I’ve come close a couple of times, but we fight and then break up and it starts over.
Chapter Nine
America’s Sweethearts
Natalie
The office is adorable and exactly what I imagined when I interviewed over the phone. The two bosses are the Steve Jobs sorts with glasses and huge brains stuffed into shiny bald heads.
The rest of the staff welcomed me in the warmest way imaginable. Everyone gathered and greeted me.
It’s like I’ve come home.
“We have a few contracts for a couple of publishing houses. We need some romance covers. We thought since it’s the most urgent stuff in the pile and a great way for us to see how you do with the task of making someone else’s vision come to life¸ this might be a great place to start off.” Randy, my direct boss gives me a knowing nod and a winning
smile. It’s the kind my dad gives me. “You got this.”
“I got this.” I smile back. Book covers? I think I got this. I haven’t ever made one before, but I can’t imagine it’s all that hard.
“I’m emailing you the specs for sizes, pixels, and how to make the paperback cover PDF. The cover for the electronic copy, or e-book will be in JPEG, as will any advertisements you manage to make with the images you use to create the cover.” He winks and leaves me at my little cubby in the corner.
I drag my headphones on and open the email. I can’t believe I’m going to get paid to play with Photoshop and my computer.
Hours roll by and my eyes start to blur so I pull out my glasses. The girl next to me nods in my direction, moving her lips, but I can’t hear her. She’s super pretty, dark haired, and about my age if I had to guess. I haul off my headphones. “Sorry, what was that?”
“Lunch time.” She points down the hall to the large open area where the entire office is gathering. “We eat together every day.” She gets up off her yoga ball that she uses as a chair and leaves her desk.
I grab my lunch and follow, impressed right away by everyone unpacking and sitting at the large conference table in the middle of the workstations.
“Everyone, if you were at work on time, you will recall this is Natalie Banks, the new girl. She hails from Greenwich, so she’s judging all of us right now for our poor taste in footwear and handbags. Natalie, this is everyone.” Randy laughs and sits, opening his funky steel lunch box.
“Hey.” My cheeks flush as I lower my head, shaking it and laugh. Most of them have greeted me already so this is redundant and embarrassing, but then I start to see that's the point.
“Natalie, this is just like being the new kid at school. We must know everything. Give us some details or we’ll force Randy to reveal what’s on the resume.” The other boss, Mario, winks as he takes a large bite from his sub.
Sitting down and holding my purse, I swallow hard and shrug. “There’s not much on the resume, apart from volunteer work. I went to design school at Sacred Heart because it was close to home. My mom’s a teacher at Greenwich Academy where I went to school. My dad’s a builder and contractor.”
“And of course the most important part is that you’re dating William Fairfield, of the Greenwich Fairfields,” Randy adds, looking down at his soup.
The entire table stares, lips curling into grins.
“Yes. I am.” My lips are stuck in a ridiculously embarrassed smile. “He’s at Princeton.” Now I’m just adding things, rambling from the spotlight being on me. “He graduates this year and will work with his dad and uncle in Manhattan.”
“Oh my God, stop. This is so mean.” The dark-haired girl gives me a sympathetic smile. “They tormented me for days. Randy likes stuffed animals—we all suspect he’s a furry—and Mario’s mom still does his laundry, which pisses his wife off. Do not let them torture you.”
Everyone bursts out laughing and clapping, including my bosses. I sigh and laugh, grateful for the dark-haired girl but weirded out by the furry thing.
“I’m Liz. This is Phil. This is Raoul and Hardeep, but we all call him Harry unless his mom comes in, which happens more than it should, then it's a firm Hardeep.
Harry waves, nodding in agreement with what she’s said.
“That’s Lin and she’s Maggie.” She points at the two Asian girls in the crowd. They both offer waves and smiles. Liz folds her arms and narrows her gaze. “Sacred Heart isn’t exactly the best of the best for schools. How did you go from Greenwich to there?” Her question is the most invasive yet. So much for rescuing me.
“Don't answer that.” Randy points. “Because we really want to know something more important.”
Mario nods. “We do. Actually, it’s Phil who does.”
“Are you seriously besties with Sami Ford? And does she smell like perfection?” Phil, the skinny guy with blond hair bursts out in a way that tells me he isn’t interested in Sami as a girlfriend.
“Yes and no.” I laugh at Randy’s strange question.
“She’s your best friend. That's like having Blair Waldorf as your best friend. I saw photos of her house once. My God. Have you been there? She’s so fabulous. Her closet must be amazing.”
All the eyes are on me. It’s uncomfortable, and yet it’s normal. Being friends and a girlfriend to America’s royalty is something I am very accustomed to being questioned about. “She’s amazing. She’s not at all how the papers have portrayed her. She’s not cruel or evil. She’s kind and loving. Her parents’ house in Greenwich is insane. Like palace big. I’ve actually been lost there. But it’s not the biggest home they have. They have a place in Wales as well, very beautiful. It’s an old castle. It’s colossal and crazy.” I smile at Phil. “Her closet is bigger than my bedroom. It’s huge.”
“I knew it would be.” He seems satisfied.
Everyone looks interested. But it’s not me; it’s actually never me that interests people. But these guys are cool because it fades faster than with normal people.
“So you were normal and grew up with crazy rich people so everyone knows who you are?” Harry asks.
“Yeah.”
“Cool.” He shrugs and eats a bite of a sandwich.
“I guess.” It’s not really though. Being known for knowing people is a bit lame. I’m popular by association and not actually popular on my own.
“Well, I think we can end the hazing there. You’ve given us just enough to add you to the weekly gossip.” Randy winks. “Now on to very important subjects.” He looks at Liz who grins wide.
“The Halloween workday party. We all have to agree that we will go with a theme.”
Everyone groans except Lin and Maggie. They look indifferent.
Mario lifts his hands. “We made Liz the party planner in the crowd. We can’t complain that the cost of a righteous Christmas party is entertaining her sickness for Halloween. Everyone has to come to work in costume; it’s going to be mandatory. If you don't dress up or come as a muggle, no Christmas bonus.”
Randy gives him a look. “Evil.”
Liz leans in. “I was thinking we could be great fictional characters but only from classic novels. No sparkly vampires and shit.”
“Swear jar!” They all shout.
Liz thumps her hand on the table. “Dammit!” She gets up, as they laugh mercilessly, and deposits two coins into the jar on the counter behind her.
It’s like a world I have never been part of, but for some crazy reason I love these people. It’s my first day and I am in love.
Apparently, falling in love is easy for me. Well, love and lust.
Chapter Ten
Icing nuts and furries
Brady
My whole body aches as I leave the elevator and stroll to our door. Mitch Daniels slaps me on the back. “You got beer, right?”
My answer is a grunt as I get the key in with the very last of my strength.
“Awwwe, muffin. Are you still sore from being ridden like a rented mule for being ten minutes late?” Mike Smolensky laughs, getting the door for me.
Again I grumble.
When I get the door open I’m greeted by something magical and amazing, and yet disturbing in several ways. A smile crosses my lips, using the last of my strength.
“What the fuck is that?” Daniels leans over me, pushing on my shoulder. “And how do we get one in our apartment?”
“Holy shit, Bro,” Smolensky mutters.
I don't feel tired anymore. I feel something else. It’s deep and annoying and rhymes with fucking kill anyone who looks at her in that downward dog with those tiny shorts on. I pull the door back, shaking my head. “Let’s go to your place, Mitch.” I give Daniels a look.
He pulls back. “Yeah—not a chance. You can’t crack the door open and flash that and then close it. I need to meet her. She’s the future Mrs. Daniels.” Mitch pushes past me, bursting into the apartment.
Mike does the same, glancing back. �
��This is the roommate you mentioned? The crazy hot one?”
“Yeah.”
He starts laughing. “That is the roommate? That?” He laughs harder. “You’re going to be icing your nuts all year. I don't care how crazy she is, that would be a problem for me.”
“Laugh it up, Chuckles.” I groan and enter after Mitch, hating that Natalie isn’t anywhere near the crazy I’d imagined. She’s actually kind of awesome. Explosively, sarcastically, awesome. She was just surprised by the roommate switch up. Once she thawed she was fine.
And, apparently, rocks yoga shorts . . .
She’s a problem.
The discomfort in me seeing her in her yoga shorts with Mitch and Mike ogling her, tells me she’s already a problem. I have never had a problem sharing my toys, but I don't even want their eyes on her.
“Hey. I’m sorry, I thought I had an hour till you got off.” Nat gets up, red-faced and confused about what’s going on. She has on a long tee shirt that covers her short shorts, but her sexy legs show enough.
“Hey. We got off early.” I can’t even add anything because all I want to say is put some clothes on.
Mitch offers her a subtle wave and a sly grin. “I’m Mitch.”
My eyes meet hers, checking to see if she’s okay. I nod. “Mitch and Mike, this is Natalie. They came over to have some pizza and play some NHL 16. Thought we could play teams. I did text you.” I notice her phone on the counter, nowhere near her.
“Oh, sorry.” A smile creeps across her lips. “Let me get changed.” She grabs the phone and checks her messages.
Mitch opens his mouth, no doubt to say something creepy about her not needing to change, but I speak over him, “I’m on your team.” I wink at her. She rolls her eyes but doesn't say anything about her mad skills. I haven’t told them either. When they suggested playing at one of our houses, I had a moment of inner grinning followed by an invite.
Mitch gives me a look. “You lucky son of a bi—”
“Don't call my mom that.”
“That's the roommate?” He points at her door, ignoring my tone.
